August 17th
2008
12:10 AM
I've been taking Doxycycline for two days now. I have a severs case of insomnia. I have not slept in over 36 hours, which is very unusual for me. I am experiencing shortness of breath, extremely exhausted (but can't sleep), nausea, dizziness, feeling of something in my throat, and weird weird moods (getting mad for no reason, which isn't usually me and people are noticing that something is different).
I'm supposed to be taking it for another 5 days for an infection. Any advice on what I should do? This whole no sleeping thing just isn't working for me.
August 15th
2008
8:14 AM
It's been 2 days now since l've been using Doxycycline 100mg capsules for treating an infection which suppose to be a one week treatment but l'm experiencing burning in my vagina and throwing up alot . But after beening on this site and reading about the side effects others suffered l'm planning not to use it anymore.
-- By redwoman | Reply | Send Private Mail
August 14th
2008
9:38 PM
I was given Doxycycline to prevent infection from an HSG procedure. I took one the night before the procedure, two the day of and one the morning after. So total of 4 capsules of 100mg each. I'm supposed to take the full course, which is 6 capsules, but I'm going to stop now. After the 4th capsule I started having bad stomach cramps, a bit of nausea and severe diarrhea. I know the risks of not completing the course but I'm not going through these stomach pains again. No more Doxy for me! I have a similar bad reaction years ago to an antibiotic called Augmentin. I guess I have to avoid those 2 kinds of antibiotics in the future. After reading all the posts, I can't believe they still prescribe Doxy to people. It seems horrible.
-- By cvilla | Reply | Send Private Mail
August 4th
2008
2:28 PM
23 years old im taking doxycycline for an std infection , im currently on day 4 , 2x 100mg daily ... and so far ive had no problems apart from being tired all the time and a few spots appearing on my chest.. 3 days to go , i will report back.
-- By stemon | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
August 2th
2008
2:05 PM
I started Doxycycline Hyclate several days ago (100 mg 2x daily) as part of 3 week regimen to treat Lyme Disease. I have had some stomach upset, a generally reduced appetite, and cottonmouth... but by far and large the biggest effect has been this overwhelming exhaustion.
Went to bad at 9:30 last night and woke up at 9:00 am this morning but could not drag myself outta bed until almost noon. Its now the middle of the afternoon and I feel like a complete zombie. Spacy and unmotivated, my head might as well be made of wood and can't pull it together to even take a shower yet.
I am a real outdoors guy and keep up a busy routine of work and exercise. Another 2 and a half weeks of this is gonna drive me nuts. I guess it is better than having Lyme, but does it get any easier?
July 26th
2008
9:59 PM
Taking Doxycycline hyclate for bacterial infection. I am on day 6 and the headaches are getting worse. I woke up last night at 1 AM and felt Nausea and a severe headache. I have to take this with a small meal or I will be in the bathroom until my next dose. I have diarrhea, headaches, DEPRESSION, no patience with my kids or wife, no sexual feelings, tingling lips that are starting to crack in the corners, dry mouth and no energy to do anything. I feel better on it, then I did without taking it, but If this does not take care of the so called bacterial infection, then I will be asking for a different MED next time. This stuff is very tough on you and if you can get something with less side effects, GET IT!
-- By plunk656 | Reply | Send Private Mail
July 21th
2008
9:02 AM
I've only been on Doxycycline Hyclate for 2 weeks - I am supposed to take it for 2 months to clear up my acne. The first side effect I experienced was the nausea/vomiting. I HAVE to eat something before I take it or it makes me throw up. I was sensitive to the sun, but the thing that was the most bothersome was the tingling in my feet & hands. When water touched them, they would tingle as if they were asleep. It was a very weird feeling. The worst side effect for me, though, are my mood swings. I get so angry I feel almost like I'm going to explode. I can't just drop it like I usually do - I just keep fighting & yelling - which is not like me. I've been saying things I don't mean & lashing out over stupid small things. I feel almost as if I'm going crazy. This is just the first 2 weeks, after reading this board, I'm wondering if it's even worth continuing. Supposedly, when this is prescribed for acne, most cases come back after you stop taking the pill. If it's going to come back anyways, I'd rather not put myself through this for 2 months...
-- By adjenkins86 | Reply | Send Private Mail
July 19th
2008
3:07 PM
Am on my second 3-week course of doxycycline for Lyme disease since the first go round didn't eradicate the infection. Have all the classic side effects mentioned, however the stomach ailments are GREATLY alleviated by taking a strong (70 billion parts per capsule) probiotic. Take it half way between the 2 doxycycline doses and although it isn't magic it does make a difference.
Although I have no appetite, I try to graze lightly on foods that appeal to me throughout the day and that seems to help with many of the horrific side effects.
Also, my MD suggested I take Aleve and NOT Ibuprofen for headaches since the Ibuprofen can cause a "headache" kickback (and causes stomach pain). Don't know if that's true, but the Aleve seems to help a little.
Worst side effects for me are utter exhaustion, dizziness, stomach pain, sore throat, and a head that hurts feels like it is filled with wet cotton. Also heart palpitations which may be part of the Lyme disease.
Hope some of this helps.
July 19th
2008
11:20 AM
On doxycycline now for 3 weeks 100 mg twice per day. I can't stop yawning. I am so tired and it is difficult to concentrate.
Suppose to take the regimen for at least 6 weeks for chronic lyme disease. I skipped last night's dose. Although I am so tired I feel at night like I have a fever and do not sleep more than 6 hours.
-Lizydoo
July 11th
2008
2:50 AM
Hello Everyone,
I am 20 years old and taking doxy for acne. I have been on doxycycline for about a week now, and have been experiancing symptoms since pretty much the get go. I didn't put it together that these things were caused by Doxy until I started researching it. I would keep commenting at work how i felt like something was stuck in my throat, and how nauseous I was. I just thought I was getting sick, but it has continued. It also seems I am having symptoms of a yeast infection. I have never had one before, but it seems to all add up. I also got my eyebrows waxed today and i started bleeding from it, as this makes your skin very sensitive and painful. My skin is looking better already, and this is something that i have struggled with for awhile. I am going to stick with the meds for awhile, and see if the symptoms persist. Having clear skin is something that I have been dreaming of for a long time. haha. so yea I wish everyone the best of luck!!
July 3th
2008
7:38 AM
I'm taking Doxycycline 100mg 5x/day. Started a little over 2 weeks ago for Chronic Lyme. I have a 4 month course to complete.
In the past 14 years after that tick got me I was the living dead, those with Chronic Lyme know what I mean. I have virtually the same side effects as everyone else here and wonder if it even matters how much you take a day. A lot of you have the same doses (100mg 2x/day) and the same degree of side effects as I do. My side effects are headaches or a pain in my right temple whenever I cough, severe itching EVERYWHERE, blisters on my hands from itching, burns on my skin wherever the sun shines on me (I live in Florida), vomiting daily some days worse than others, mood swings, crying for nothing, nausea almost constantly, gassy (both ends), I have a bladder infection that started 2 days ago that after reading this can be attributed to the Doxy, asthma symptoms are getting out of hand, I also have this odd swelling/pain over my liver/gall bladder area that's been coming and going, ears ring, noise bothers me and actually starts a headache, diarrhea the first week and constipation the second week, skin feels tight and there's noticeable swelling all over.
With that said I want to say that yes this is not one of the more pleasant drugs to be on however in my case if I don't get these bugs out of me I am going to die so would rather deal with side effects knowing these bugs are being killed and I will be off them someday unlike the Lyme I will have for eternity. Lyme people and other chronically ill people on these meds say this is called "herxing" and this comes and goes also. You feel really bad and then you feel good, then bad and then good again and so on. I started out on this drug keeping in mind that any sikness/side effect was telling me those bugs are dying so in a sense I almost welcome them.
Good luck everyone:)
-- By genenteri | Reply | Send Private Mail
June 17th
2008
6:18 PM
I am 19 year old male and was diagnosed with Epididymitis a couple of weeks ago. Prescribed 100mg Doxycycline HYC TB--taken twice daily for 10 days. Aside from the nausea and headaches, I have recently realized a tingling in my right calf. It has probably been feeling this way for about a week now. It feels numb and while there is no actual pain, it is quite uncomfortable
In addition, I recently developed a lump right under my right nipple. It's probably about an inch in diameter and feels as if it's a cyst.
Plus, Im not convinced my Epididymitis has totally gone away. There is still some very minor discomfort in that area.
Any similar side effects?
June 17th
2008
11:40 AM
Death! horrible side effects why taking Doxycycline Hyclate! Everything everyone posted is absolutely true~ while is such drug allowed as a Rx if it can do more harm than good! Impossible to complete the Rx.
-- By mlssmj | Reply | Send Private Mail
June 11th
2008
5:57 AM
Finally after a whole week of not eating because of the pain swallowing and the burning in my chest, I am able to eat again! Doctor gave me Omeprozole, 20mgs a day which calms acid, and it seems to be kicking in. They diagnosed Esophagitis, caused by the Doxycycline. I will never take anything again without reading the leaflet and considering alternative more natural remedies!!! Just wanted reassure anyone having problems after taking this - you will be able to eat and swallow it will take a good few days. I took advice to try take down only soft, gentle foods (was all I could do to eat a mouthful of mashed potato or scrambled eggs) and I drank lots of water. Thanks to everyone who showed support via this webpage. : )
-- By louise1809 | Reply | Send Private Mail
May 26th
2008
9:07 PM
I took Doxy last summer for cystic acne. It worked fine and I didn't have any problems, and my skin cleared up nicely. I had some left over (bad, bad, I know but it hasn't yet expired!) so I started taking it again about 4 days ago. I noticed, almost immediately, severe tingling and burning in my fingers and hands and up into my arms when I am out in the sun and for hours afterwards. Also water (like washing my hands) makes the tingly feeling much worse. Weird, right? My two index fingers are bright red and any touch burns.
It's weird because last summer when I was on it I was out in the sun all the time with no problems at all.
-- By shayrizzle | Reply | (4) replies | Send Private Mail
May 23th
2008
11:15 AM
I had to take Doxycycline for 3 weeks last August when a tick bite I had developed the classic "bulls eye"... a sign of Lyme disease. Everything went well for the first 10 days then I started getting kind of nervous and couldn't sleep well at night. I was constantly starving, really ravenous and had to eat constantly otherwise the nausea got worse. I was glad when I was finally able to stop taking the meds, BUT then after 24 hours I became depressed and really fuzzy in my head and disoriented. This lasted for another 2-4 days. I'm feeling much better now, but I have noticed that I'm just a lot more sensitive to other stimulants...coffee, sugar, alcohol, chocolate. I know I have a few other allergies, hay fever, food allergies etc. I was just wondering, does anyone else out there who has had a negative reaction to doxy have any other allergies or intolerances, or asthma? How much sugar, either in the form of sweets or alcohol do you usually consume? Daily, weekly, monthly...none at all? Feedback would be greatly appreciated. I would like to get to the root of this problem.
-- By webmom2000 | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
May 22th
2008
8:19 PM
What I am experiencing may or may not be the result of the doxycycline hyclate, but I suspect that it is after reading all of these posts. I took a 100MG doxycycline capsule about a week ago late at night ( to prevent Malaria), laid down, and I woke up to discover a sensation of something being stuck in my throat. That was about a week ago...since then it has progressively become harder to swallow and eat. I have experienced some tingling in my fingers, occasional bouts of nausea and discomfort/pressure in my chest that is very noticeable in my chest when I lie down. Also had severe chronic constipation subsequent to taking the pill, but this may not be related to the doxy, not sure.
I went to the doctor today-the PA ran all kind of tests-EKG, throat x-rays, blood, and urine and didn't see anything abnormal. I hope to find out what the problem is soon.
-- By dmgates | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
May 22th
2008
7:12 PM
I was prescribed doxycycline 2xday for seven days. On the third day I started to feel very sick. However, it was not until the 5th/6th day that I began to suspect I was having a reaction to the antibiotic. I have never had a negative reaction to any medication ever. My symptoms started with severe nausea that lasted all day, and extreme tiredness. The symptoms continued to get worse....muscle aches, joint pains, elevated blood pressure, back & neck pains, unfocused vision, confusion, dizziness, loss of appetite, muscle tremors that woke me from sleep, depression, and anxiety. When I discussed with my doctor that I suspected it might be the medication I was dismissed and told I was developing a virus. They had prescribed this medication often with no problems. I decided to try to stick with it for two more days. That was the biggest mistake ever. I can't really describe what it did to my head, but all I could think about was that I was dying. I guess severe anxiety and paranoia. So, I finally stopped taking it.
It took three full days with no medication for my nausea and mental confusion to begin to subside. It took a few more days for most of the muscle and back pain to go away. It also took about seven days for the depression and most of the anxiety to quiet down. It is now 11 days with no medication and I still have diarrhea, and minor joint pain. I have also stopped drinking coffee because I an still a bit anxious. I have not really gotten back to my routine yet, and will probably hold off going to the gym until next week.
The most frustrating thing of all is that this medication was given to me as a preventative before a small surgery. All the symptoms I was supposed to be watching for I was having. I am sure this contributed to the anxiety.
At least most of the symptoms have gotten better, and I am hopeful that they will continue to improve. I have researched serum sickness and it says it can take 1-2 weeks for symptoms to subside, and up to several months in some cases.
Good luck to everyone.
-- By hiesersmom | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
May 21th
2008
2:04 PM
Wow! Seems as if I'm one of many, many folks with Doxycycline issues. Was prescribed it for symptoms arising from a bad tick bite. Now, in my 5th day of a 10-day course, I have the crushing exhaustion, the mild nausea, the sudden hot flashes and sweats (I didn't even get those during an unmedicated menopause), the aches, the muzzy, on-another-planet head symptoms. I'm thinking that the side effects are better than, say, Lyme or Tularemia – but whew! This has been a stark realization that even if you're a "good patient", even if you read everything that's given to you in connection with a drug, you're still not getting even half the story. And doctors in this managed care world certainly aren't going to tell us. Thanks to everyone who has shared info on this site!
-- By lynnieb | Reply | Send Private Mail
May 17th
2008
12:25 AM
I didn't realize how many problems this med has caused for other people as well. I've been on Minocin for acne and Cipro for prostates in the past and never had any major side effects until taking Doxycycline. I've been on it for two weeks and have two more left for a prostate infection. My latest is an aching pain in my lower legs and tingling in my feet and toes. My main advice for this med would be 1) Take with a decent sized meal and 2) DO NOT lie down for at least one hour after taking or it could irritate your esophagus. I took it before bed the first couple of days and had some bad heartburn for a couple of days but it is gone for the most part now. I've also had the tightness in the face, throat, and chest. My advice there is to relax and take some deep breaths to eliminate any anxiety that could make it worse. If it doesn't go away or gets worse and you have trouble breathing or anything like that you may be having an allergic reaction. I'm definitely going to have a talk with my doctor for not warning me about all of these side effects before putting me on this crap for a month.
-- By bridomuga03 | Reply | Send Private Mail
May 16th
2008
2:29 PM
I have been taking Doxycycline for 10 days. I noticed on about the 4th day that any sun exposure was painful and also the hands tingling and even burning. But the weirdest of all is the effect water has on my hands. It will cause them to burn and will even turn red on the knuckles. This is painful.This scared me as the doctor didn't go over this with me and I am new to Doxycycline. Thank God today is my last day.
-- By willpat99 | Reply | Send Private Mail
April 22th
2008
11:36 PM
I was on Minocycline (a cousin to Doxycycline Hyclate) for years. I’m not sure how long exactly as I didn’t write down the date that I started, but I believe I have been on it around 3-4+ years. Well I went to a dermatologist and he instantly looked at the outer area of my arms (just above the elbow) and recognized I am suffering from skin discoloration, and prescribed Doxycycline, and told me to stop taking Minocycline right away. I also have this blue-gray skin discoloration on my back near my shoulder blades. I took my Minocycline for the next two weeks till the Doxycycline came in then stopped the minocycline, and started Doxycycline on Sunday. I take a 100mg pill twice daily with a meal, and thus far have had no issues. Keep in mind that I have been on Minocycline for the past 4 years or so and maybe I’ve been suffering similar side effects on that drug, thus I would be unable to see the difference with Minocycline’s cousin Doxycycline. I am pretty sure the first year or two that I was on Minocycline I was depressed (other things in life may have contributed to this depression, but now that I see all of these people saying they have had mood swings, I must state that I have had many more mood swings in recent years then I ever remember before being on these meds). I have also been extremely sleepy the past few years. I used to NEVER be able to fall asleep in public, but (I believe about the same time I started Minocycline) I gained the ability to sleep anywhere. Now I mean, anywhere. I can sleep even after I get anywhere between 6 and 14 hours of sleep. I have had approx 7-9 hours of sleep on average for the past 6 months, yet am always tired. I can’t remember the last time I haven’t been sleepy, and have had many doctor visits to attempt to discover the reason for this, but hadn’t read the side effects of Minocycline. I’ve still been pretty sleepy since Sunday, but I’ll hope that this Doxycycline isn’t as bad. Anyone else have a similar issue, where you used to be awake, but now you are always sleepy (wake up in the mornings a bit dizzy and confused), and have a hard time concentrating on one thing at a time?
-- By acnefreedom | Reply | Send Private Mail
April 12th
2008
3:21 AM
I have been on Doxycycline for about a year now, and have had side effects.
I have had hot flushes, abdominal pain, chest pain, extreme mood swings, anxiety, depression which lasted a few days at a time and have felt dizzy and exhausted alot (I had never gotten these symptoms before taking the anti-biotic). I didn't get any side-effects while starting doxy, but about 2 weeks after, they began. My symptoms are becoming worse, as well as waking up with a headache for the past 2 weeks everyday. My Dr says it's perfectly fine for me to continue, but the side effects are becoming too much.
Also, i take my doxy before bed, and not necessarily after eating, and they go down perfectly fine! I have no problems with it through the night. I take it in conjunction with my pill, and all is well.
After having a break from Doxy (I've had a 2 week break about twice in the year I have been on them), I have gotten a severe flu, which has had me in bed for about 4 weeks at a time.
But my acne has cleared immensely, everyone comments how clear my skin is now. In my opinion, it's worth the side-effects. My confidence has improved so much!
-- By pmatilda | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
April 11th
2008
4:06 PM
I am taking Doxycycline for recurrent prostatitis. I have to take 100 mg twice a day for 14 days. It's definitely the worst antibiotic I've ever been on, though it does seem to be generally effective. I'm on day 10 now and I have been on two previous 14 days courses of doxycycline so I have a fair amount of experience with it.
Here are a few things I've learned:
Do NOT lay down after taking Doxy. Don't take it right before bed. You need to be upright for about an hour prior or you will almost certainly get heartburn. Also, take Doxy immediately after eating. When I don't take it with food, I become nauseous and occasionally throw up. So those are the two big ones. Eat before and stay vertical after.
In conclusion, part of the reason why it has such frequent side effects is that it is a very powerful antibiotic. Often, I think, the side effects are worse than what its supposed to be curing. I can't wait to be off it. Good luck to everyone.
-- By caoyun | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
April 10th
2008
11:48 PM
I've been on this drug for almost two weeks. About one week in I noticed my ankles were swelling. They look like an egg has been cut in half and applied to each side. I rarely have any swelling. It's not painful but looks bizarre. I've also been having tingling/numbness on the bottom of my feet - mostly the ball of my foot and up into my toes. In addition I'm having tingling in my forearms and hands, also my thighs, and a bit in my buttocks. It's bizarre. At first I just thought I'd pulled a muscle somewhere but as it has progressed I've decided it must be associated with the doxycycline. I have two more pills left and I'm hoping everything subsides once I'm done with it. The only painful thing was a neck crick, which I'm not sure was associated with the drug, but could have been. Also, I've had charlie horses in my legs probably a half dozen times since I've been on it. I haven't had one in probably 10 years prior to this. I've never noticed this kind of side effect with a drug. It has certainly cleared up the infection that wouldn't go away and as long as all these side effects go away it was worth it - no question - but these are odd side effects.
-- By pt61 | Reply | Send Private Mail
April 8th
2008
3:45 AM
i am amazed that doxycycline has given the SAME EXACT problems to other people. i never had side effects to any medication i ever took up until this point. I was on them for a week and on the 2 final nights I too took them right before sleeping and developed a case of esophigitis. I cant eat or sleep because it feels like i'm swallowing lumps that land in my stomach and burn. Even breathing ends up as burping that feels like its on fire. My throat feels swollen and eating solids is torture. Ive been so depressed over this, it makes me want to cry and not go to work because my head feels like i'm in a cloud. Past 24 hours i developed a fever and pain in the jaw/temple area but that might just be a flu going around. So i called the doctor who prescribed them to me for adult acne and says "you weren't supposed to take them before bed, sounds like you have esophagitis". Nice of him to tell me this prior to starting this medication. Im so worried these have caused permanent damage to my stomach that i'm going to suffer with forever. Have these symptoms gone away for anyone, and what helped you get through it if it has? also, how long? Maalox, Pepcid, and over the counter heartburn remedies dont seem to help. all i know is, doxycycline is the wrost drug ever and needs to be retired ASAP!
-- By ellas11103 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
April 2th
2008
8:28 AM
wow and I thought it was just me.
I have been on doxycycline for 6 days and talk about nausea, headaches, tightness in the chest and throat I am also contending with sore limbs almost flu like, also lots pf frothy mucus and a racing heart.
I have severe reflux normally but this drug is making it a nightmare.
depression is normal for me but now I am worried that is going to get worse.
March 30th
2008
12:09 AM
Doxycycline has been helping with me skin BUT it is entirely not worth what it is doing to my mental health. I went to a therapist yesterday because I have been depressed and he told me that I have a Dysthymia, a mild form of depression. I have been taking Doxycycline 50 mg for 9 months. I thought my depression had to do with me being unsatisfied with my life but now I realize that I have been feeling sad and hopeless due to this drug. I have had incidences of crying for small annoyances, like missing a bus. I have stopped taking it for a day now and I can't wait until this stuff gets out of my system. I have had yeast infections as well, that were so mild that it took me this long to realize it. I only got nauseous when I took it on an empty stomach. Be aware that some people have committed suicide because they were depressed, due to the acne medication, Accutane. I’m not a doctor, but it seems that we need to evaluate the possible detrimental effects acne medications could have on us. I will now look into improving my eating habits and hopefully that will help.
-- By barbarella | Reply | Send Private Mail
March 26th
2008
3:18 PM
Day 2 of being on Doxycycline Hyclate. I woke up with pain behind my eyes and a strange "out of touch" feeling. I took my next pill for the day. No issues with it going down, but I have felt flu like symptoms most of the day. Some chills, possible fever (face and mouth feel hot but at work so can't check it), some aches especially in the legs, like mild cramps, and an overall sick feeling across my body. I do not feel myself today, however I felt normal if not better yesterday, the first day I started taking it. I contacted my doctor and informed them of how I felt and she told me it is only my second day taking it and to continue as normal. I will do as recommended, however, I hope these feelings dissipate soon. I want the cough to be gone but at what cost. If I feel like this tomorrow I might not go to work and maybe have a second opinion.
-- By onthemend33 | Reply | Send Private Mail
March 20th
2008
4:01 PM
I have been taking doxycycline for about 4 days now. Last night I took it right before bed, with water, and upon waking at about 1 am I felt that the pill was stuck in my esophagus. And then my stomach starting burning and acid started coming up. I still feel like the pill is lodged in there, and it is very uncomfortable. Along with this issue, I have felt rather depressed, dizzy, yeast infection, and am extremely tired. I don't really know what to do at this point. I was prescribed it for pneumonia and a double ear infection. My chest is still killing me from the pneumonia and still have trouble breathing. My doctors have not been helpful what so ever through this process. I had to actually go to the hospital for the proper diagnosis. I don't even know if it is even working for me, but I don't have health insurance and have been out of work for over a week. Can any one give me ANY advice PLEASE???!!!!!
-- By makahfili | Reply | (8) replies | Send Private Mail
March 15th
2008
1:36 AM
I'm so glad this it's not just my imagination. I have been taking Doxycycline for almost two weeks for ance, always after a meal. Last night I woke up with sudden nausea and and tremendous dryiness all over my mouth and throat. It was very weird and overwhelming! Also, I'm experiencing a constant burning sensation on my skin. Right on my back, my arms, and around my eyes. If feels like a combination between irritaion and ichiness. I'm suppose to take for two months. Hopefully, it be worthed...
-- By belle_labrador | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail
March 14th
2008
8:08 AM
Not sure if its Hyclate or not, but I am taking Doxycycline for an eye infection (100mg 2x/day). At first everything was ok, then after about 4 days, I stated having some nausea and acid reflux (throat seemed to be burning). I have to take it for 3 more weeks, but next week only 100mg/day which I hope will help.\
Is this typical of an antibiotic that you might not get any side effects until it build up in your system?
March 13th
2008
4:35 PM
Taking doxycycline 100mg for almost 1 week now due to bronchitis and noticed an immediate tingling in my lips and hands. My hands are extremely sensitive to tap water (cold), putting them in the refridgerator to take out something and heat. At night when I'm laying around cuddled up in a blanket my hands are on fire and red. I thought it was the blanket. It's the strangest feeling and uncomfortable. It lasts all day but gets worse at night. I hate pills.
-- By szranch | Reply | Send Private Mail
March 13th
2008
5:27 AM
I only took one doxycycline and experienced my bottom lip breaking out, hearburn, itching of the skin, and yeast infection. Luckily I noticed the side effects with just one pill and did not take anymore. This morning the yeast infection is itching like crazy and I still feel like I have something hung in my throat and a heaviness in my chest. I hope that these side effects go away soon. I will be calling my doctor this morning when his office opens.
-- By brenda707 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
March 12th
2008
5:28 PM
I was prescribed doxycycline for bronchitis/pneumonia and an ear infection. I've been taking 100mg twice a day for four days now. The heartburn started last night, and though I've had mild cases before, this is unbearable. I cough and feel like I'm going to throw up. I drink water, I feel like I'm going to gag. I can stand, I can sit, I can lay down, doesn't matter... feels like I have a rock lodged at the back of my throat and my throat feels scratchy all the way to my sternum. The headaches come and go all day and I feel like I'm in a constant fog. I was told it was not an allergic reaction, but it is a "normal" reaction. I won't take this med again. It isn't worth it.
-- By crickey | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
March 8th
2008
9:29 PM
hi,
i have been on 100 mgs twice daily for bulls eye rash. i am awaiting initial lab results.
anyhow in the morning or whenever my stomach is empty.(told to take on empty stomach via enclosed pamphlet courtesy of pharmacy) The nausea takes over i try to get a piece of toast down it is agonizing! then when the nausea calms down, i them have burping problems the rest of the day also having slight boughs of dizziness. i want to quit after 9 days. i am really not eating because of the discomfort. these are my synopsis of issues with this med.
cc
March 6th
2008
2:34 AM
I don't know if I'm taking doxycycline HYCLATE. My bottle just says doxycycline and my instruction manual tells me specifically NOT to take it with food. (To take it one hour before eating or two hours after eating.) Anyway, I didn't have any real side effects. Nothing like listed on the bottle. I just felt foggy headed and depressed and unable to focus. I thought it was just my social life and stuff. But I am taking the stuff for acne and it has only made my acne MUCH MUCH worse and although I know it's supposed to do that, it says "for two to four weeks" and I've been on it two months and it's just horrible. So I didn't fill my second prescription and have now been off it three days. I feel so much more coherent and focused and sane. I feel like ME again. UGH. I didn't even consider it would cause depression until I researched it and found these boards. It doesn't list it as a side effect ANYWHERE. Would've been nice to know!
-- By vandonovan | Reply | Send Private Mail
February 26th
2008
9:49 AM
The drug insert for Doxycycline says to take the medicine with a full glass of water, and it warns not to lie down for a half hour after taking the drug. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. Doxycycline, along with a number of other drugs, is quite corrosive.
I was on doxy for about a week when I woke up with the feeling of something caught in my throat. I had taken it with a full glass of water, but I had laid down immediately. I guess the pill had found its way back up to my throat. That night, I went to the hospital, did a barium swallow, and I eventually had an endoscopy to check out the damage. Thankfully it subsided after a couple weeks, but I had horrible pill-induced Esophagitis. I couldn't even drink water without pain and a feeling that I was choking. I didn't eat solids for 2 weeks, took double-dose Nexium, and I had to sleep SITTING UP because I also have silent acid-reflux, but when this happened, I could feel it intensely. I was lucky it wasn't perforated.
Anyway, lesson learned. Always follow the instructions. This can also happen with NSAIDs like Advil, btw.
-- By sarie8712 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
February 3th
2008
2:02 PM
I was prescribed Doxycycline 100mg tablets twice a day, for 3 to 4 months, for a skin condition (perioral dermatitis) which causes small sores to form around my mouth. After my experience with this antibiotic, I'd rather have the sores!
I took the Doxycycline twice a day for the first week with no side effects. Antibiotics always cause yeast infection, so I took Diflucan before I started treatment and didn't have that problem. On the tenth day of the Doxycycline, (two days ago) I took a tablet with a little water and went right to bed. As I have read in previous posts on here, BIG MISTAKE! It felt like a giant gas bubble just below my breastbone, in my stomach area. Not too painful, but annoying. Every time I woke up during the night, that feeling was still there. The next day, the pressure was still in that area of my stomach, and it began to feel like heartburn. This feeling persisted all day, no matter what I ate or drank, which is very unusual for me as I don't usually have stomach problems. That's when I searched the web for side effects of Doxycycline, and found this website.
After reading many posts on this site, I decided it was indeed the Doxycycline, so didn't take them yesterday. However, the bloated, burning feeling was still present last night, a full 24 hours after the last capsule had been taken.
I had read someone's post about drinking apple juice, and thought it couldn't hurt...and I'll be darned if within 15 minutes that bloated, burning feeling went away, and hasn't returned. I don't understand WHY that works - unless maybe there is residual medicine sitting in the stomach which can't be digested, and the acid in the apple juice neutralizes it, but it WORKS!
I will NOT take any more Doxycycline, and will just keep the perioral dermatitis! I didn't have the depression or fatigue I see others have had, but since I was only on the meds 10 days, maybe those symptoms didn't have time to develop.
-- By carolynw | Reply | Send Private Mail
January 29th
2008
3:03 PM
I have been having Doxy since last June (about 6 mo. ago) and still taking it. Its effects on my acne problem has just gotten apparent about one month ago. (Yep. For 5 months, I kept my faith and it is beginning to pay off.) I was determined to take the stuff as long as I need to. However, I just noticed that my stomach is bloating and I got tired very easily. I could play several games of rigorous racquetball before but no longer. My breathing has gotten harder and felt like something was obstructing my breathe just below the rib cage (in the middle).
I will see my derm to see if there is any long term problem with this side effect. He once told me I have to take this drug at least 2 months after all the major "bums" have disappeared. I hope that is within the next few weeks.
-- By windycity_guy | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail
January 27th
2008
11:17 PM
I started taking Doxycycline on Jan 22, 2007 for Lyme Disease. I usually get nausea and/or vomiting with most antibiotics so I try and take precautions. The first day I took it I had nausea, headache, dizziness and a feeling of being "out of it". by the 3rd day the dizziness and the feeling of being "out of it" was gone but after I took it in the morning within 1/2 hour I started feeling severe esophagus pain. It's not like heartburn because it's right below my rib cage. That night I started noticing feeling like there was a lump in my throat. By the next morning the lump felt like a huge knot. Now, It hurts every time I swallow, the esophagus pain never ends. Last night I spent the night crying feeling like everything was hopeless. I thought it was just because I've been dealing with the pain from Lyme and now the pain from the medicine now that I read this message board, I wonder if the hopeless, despondent feeling is from this medication. I have 2 more weeks on this I don't think I can take it that long. I haven't eaten anything because it hurts to swallow and it burns. I cry all the time. I did not read that depression was a side effect but it seems a lot of people are experiencing the exact same symptoms. I don't know how some people have been on it so long. Just the thought of taking another is depressing me beyond belief.
-- By angelbella2 | Reply | Send Private Mail
January 26th
2008
1:30 PM
This is my second day on Doxycycline.I was prescribed Doxycycline yesterday, for a sinus infection. I am on 100mg BID. my sinus infections are, well, I get on an antibiotic about once a year. This is, I believe the first time I've been on Doxycycline. Yesterday, the pharmacist warned me about being sure to eat with it. I took the pill, but did not eat enough food, and I had nausea. I did eat food with it last night, and did much better. Today I ate food with it, but I do notice that if I don't eat meals, I get very nauseous. Of course, the antibiotic has not kicked in yet. my throat is still sore,I hope it kicks in soon. I tend to rush antibiotics, and I'm a nurse, and know better.
-- By rhonlynn | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
January 16th
2008
11:11 AM
I am 18 years old and just recently started taking Doxycycline Hyclate through recommendation from a dermatologist. I feel very tired ALL the time and can hardly imagine being on this for much longer. I can't concentrate on the things that normally seem mundane and easy to focus on. I feel pretty emotional as well. Sometimes like crying for no reason. The worst part is the pressure I seem to be experiencing in my head. It's like a constant headache in the back of my brain. Not a sharp pain, but more of a air head effect.
Is anyone else experiencing these types of headaches?
January 13th
2008
12:35 AM
I was prescribed 100mg of Doxycycline Hyclate for acne cyst about 3 weeks ago. After 2 weeks of taking the med I developed a rash from my neck down. I was told to stop taking the med for a week to see if I was allergic to it....3 days later I had severe headaches, nausea and diarrhea. I feel depressed and flat. It's been a week off and no good news. This stuff is the worst med I've ever been on. Will these side effects ever go away?
-- By ladybuglucas | Reply | Send Private Mail
December 27th
2007
4:59 PM
I took 1 pill (100mg) Doxycycline HCl, went to bed, slept very groggy, exhausted. Next day, second pill, 1 hr later feeling nauseated, then severe migraine headache, thew up, felt like in a severe fever. This lasted about 5 hours then reduced to exhaustion, dizziness with some heartburn. It was intolerable. I also felt very depressed and negative.
One website describing a patent for a different formulation of Doxycycline reported that 31% of patients taking this experience nausea and vomiting.
Why is this drug so frequently prescribed?
Stop taking this drug if you have side effects.
After doing a little research it seems that the "Hyclate" formulation has many side effect problems. The other formulations (monohydrate or carrageenan) may be better. The Hyclate formulation is very rapidly absorbed and is acidic and can cause local damage to the stomach or esophagus. Some report these symptoms on this website. Also it seems foolish for this to be in capsule form, since this increases the rapidity of dissolving and probably also local damage. The drug is 'good' in that it stays in your system a long time and brings your body to a high amount of antibiotic rapidly.
I have never had a bad reaction to an antibiotic before. I'm glad this website allows for these reports.
-- By jjjmersky | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
December 9th
2007
11:50 AM
I am taking Doxycycline for a bacteria problem..
I haven't had any of the listed side effects so far.
I've been taking it at night with food and seem to be doing okay.
The only thing that I have noticed is that I've kinda been having bad dreams since taking it. Anyone else have this side effect?
November 17th
2007
3:05 AM
This is my second round with Doxycycline for a Staph infection (probably MRSA - the culture isn't back yet); the first round was unpleasant, especially in terms of feelings of heat in my head, wooziness, and rather severe stomach upset and esophagitis due to reflux. I am a Chinese herbalist, and tried going that route with the first bout of the infection (which fortunately is at the skin level), but didn't get much relief so went the route of the 'big guns.' The infection cleared up, more or less, but three weeks later I began to get another new lesion. Grr. Back to Doxy. This second time I've been more proactive, however: Ginger is used in a lot of chinese formulas to help with digestive upset, so I've been taking a couple of pieces of candied ginger as soon as the stomach upset gets going, and hey it works! By the way, I am taking capsules, and I find that lying down on my LEFT side actually helps prevent the reflux pain - the exit of the stomach is on the left side, and since capsules float, lying on my left side keeps the med closer to the exit than the entrance... or so it seems. Whew - I'm glad this stuff is out there, but I'd really like to be done with it - forever....
-- By ddaw1 | Reply | Send Private Mail
November 15th
2007
2:44 PM
I had encephalitis or meningitis (not sure) last September. Anyway, I got a PICC line and had doxycycline running through it for nearly two months. Two weeks ago I was in terrible pain and was in the hospital because I developed blood clots in my arm and the causticity of the doxy burned the veins and surrounding tissue in my chest. I have never known a worse agony and misery. My veins were all constricted in defense mode. I read on the internet that doxy should never be given through a PICC line long term. I'm so angry with my doctor for letting this happen to me. I have Lyme disease and have suffered immensely with it for five years, but this took the cake. I HATE antibiotics!
-- By lymelady | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
November 14th
2007
5:24 PM
I'm a 54 year old female. I was given Doxycycline to help treat what may be Interstitial Cystitis - bladder inflamation of unknown origin. Within 20 minutes of taking, I felt like it crossed the blood-brain barrier. I would get a weird dizzy/nausea sensation. I only took it for 10 days and I was so glad to be done as I hated how I felt while on it. What I'm worried about now and this is why I wound up on this site, is that it feels like it is still in my system a week after finishing it. After every meal, my stomach hurts. I've been having headaches --which I don't typically have. I'm having trouble concentrating and focusing on work that I have to do and feeling suddenly sleepy for no good reason. I struggled for years with depression, but have felt relatively good for the last 10 years--I never took any depression meds. Since taking this drug, I have sensations of sadness and hopelessness like I haven't felt in years. I'm worried about the time it's taking for this drug to leave my system and whether it's done some kind of permanent damage.
-- By bert22 | Reply | Send Private Mail
This registry is a place to share positive or negative side effects of using Doxycycline Hyclate. If you directly experienced a side effect while using Doxycycline Hyclate, then we encourage you to enter it here. Please note that entries here are the experiences of individual users, and in no way means that you or anyone else will experience the same side effect, since the same medication affects people in different ways. Please always contact your physician.
-- Please see our disclaimer
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August 21th
2008
11:18 PM
I was prescribed a 10 day course of Doxycycline Hyclate for a strep infection six days ago. On the third day of my medication treatment, I experienced a feeling of exhaustion. On Day 5, the exhaustion became more severe with a little difficulty breathing and some "pin" like pain near my heart, while at work. I called my hospital and was advised to take an aspirin and to come into urgent care, as long as I deemed that it wasn't an emergency. After arriving at my hospital, I took an Xray, had blood drawn for multiple lab tests, hooked up to an EKG machine, and provided a urine sample. All of the test results thus far were negative. All of the specialists who I encountered while at the hospital conveyed to me that exhaustion isn't a side effect of this medication. After reading everyone else's postings about extreme fatigue being a side effect, I am convinced that it is indeed a side effect. I have got another four days to go on my medication therapy. I guess using my sick leave for the side effect isn't such a negative, as long as this medication cures my strep.
-- By mrusajapan | Reply | Send Private Mail